First M electric car headlines BMW i4 range

BMW Australia has confirmed that the 2022 BMW i4 range due to launch early next year will be topped by an M model with enough performance from its 400kW/795Nm powertrain to lay down a 3.9-second 0-100km/h time.

The BMW i4 M50 will be more of an ‘M Performance’ model, as BMW M chief Marcus Flasch revealed back in September last year when he revealed that the i4 range would feature a high-performance variant.

The claimed 0-100km/h time places the BMW i4 M50 in striking distance of the conventional M4’s acceleration, despite the electric vehicle weighing considerably more.

BMW officially states that the i4 M50 weighs 2215kg unladen. A significant factor in the car’s weight is the heavy 80.9kWh lithium-ion battery, which is rated at up to 510km of range on a single charge, in accordance with the WLTP combined-cycle test.

As with other high-performance electric vehicles on the market, the i4 M50 will feature two motors, each driving an axle in an all-wheel drive system.

Each motor is an “electrically excited synchronous motor”. The combined torque peaks in ‘Sport Boost’ mode when the driver demands optimal performance for more than 10 seconds.

BMW M has tuned the M50 to produce a sporty sound when accelerating, and the i4 will be available in both variants with an ‘IconicSounds’ facility developed by German film producer Hans Zimmer.

According to preliminary specs now available, the M50’s alloy wheels measure 8.5x18 inches with 245/45R18 tyres at the front, while the rear wheels – 9x18 alloys – will be shod with 255/45 R18 tyres.

But BMW Australia has indicated that the i4 M50 will be fitted with “up to 20-inch M light-alloy wheels”. It will also come with M Sport brakes and variable sport steering.

It’s not certain that the i4 M50 will deliver the sort of dynamics normally associated with M cars, but BMW has already released video of an i4 xDrive50 being hammered around a track, so the M50 should build on that.

BMW claims that the M50’s centre of gravity is actually 53mm lower than that of the 3 Series sedan, and the electric M car also spreads the weight evenly, just like the 3 Series. And aerodynamically, the i4 M50 is rated at a reasonably slippery 0.24Cd.

Inside, the i4 M50 will feature BMW Operating System 8 for the infotainment system, which will be operable through a 14.9-inch touch-screen, and the instrument cluster will comprise a 12.3-inch display. Three-zone climate control will be standard across the i4 range in Australia.

Driver assist technology will comprise active cruise control with automatic Speed Limit Assist, route monitoring and Steering and Lane Control Assistant. In addition, the i4 will be equipped with forward collision warning, speed limit information, lane departure warning, Park Distance Control and a reversing camera.

Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, and Parking Assistant Plus including Surround View and Remote 3D View are also included.

The BMW i40 M50 will be joined in the local range by the basic i4 eDrive40, which produces 250kW/430Nm for a 590km range (WLTP).

Unlike the M50 variant, the i4 eDrive40 will be driven by just one motor, at the rear wheels. BMW claims that the i4 eDrive40 will reach 100km/h from a standing start in 5.7 seconds.

BMW Australia will reveal pricing for the all-new BMW i4 closer to the local launch that’s set down for the first quarter of 2022. Customers can, however, pre-order an i4 on BMW’s website.